MICHELLE VETTERKIND is the Program Host for our next meeting, and she will introduce one of her good friends, Mary Feingold, who, as most of us know, is the wife of Wisconsin US Senator Russ Feingold. Mary will give us a lighthearted look at politics - sort of "a day in the life of" presentation. MICHELLE promises it will be entertaining and maybe even informative. You should be here.
Our last meeting started out with a demonstration of "service in action". CHUCK BASFORD'S phone rang before the meeting, and when he finished he leaped to his feet, got the attention of those present (not without difficulty) and told us the Eye Bank had corneas ready for transportation. He asked for a volunteer courier, and someone (MARILYN STAUTER, we think) responded right away. Before the meeting ended there was a second request. The missions were to Beaver Dam and Johnson Creek, not far, and two of our members helped save at least two people's sight today! This is why we have a Lions Club.
There was only one guest - the familiar face of Lioness BETTY INGWELL. She and PHIL saved out enough money to come home from Las Vegas and have made it back.. She had a short interlude in the hospital while there - not a good thing - but it looks as though she's OK now. The legendary SAM SANFILLIPPO was present for his Lion Birthday, but we put off the party for a week because we didn't have enough time to do it justice. We were told that MARK LARSON is home from the hospital, getting better, and his office staff is having trouble keeping him quiet. We understand. But MARK, take it easy, get all the way well!
LINDA BERGREN was again pressed into service as song leader. She even brought out BOB SMITH's old pitch pipe, but it apparently had blown its tubes and wouldn't sound, so we went without it. She got us to pick up the pace and follow the director, something new, and it worked pretty well. Now we have to cut a few more commas out of the Pledge of Allegiance. JERRY MILLER gave a well thought-out and appropriate invocation. Another good "Padre" of Bishop BOB's committee.
JOHN JENSON reported that our Club participated in the Lions State Bowling Tournament last weekend. JOHN, JERRY HODDINOTT, DALE ST. JOHN, MELISSA ABBOTT, STEVE BRIGGS, DON NEVIASER, and apparently DENNIS URECHE and another ringer from somewhere. No report on results, except that we have a "sleeper" in the group - MELISSA ABBOTT really cleaned up in many of the contest frames.
JOHN JENSON announced that District leadership training sessions will be held in the area, with the same subject matter in each, on March 27, April 3, April 17 and April 24. These are for all Lions, and the subject matter will benefit anyone, both in club operations and everyday life. Our Club will pay the registration fee -officers, directors and new members will particularly benefit by attending. This is one of the benefits of Lion membership that doesn't get enough attention. You can learn a lot of good stuff at these sessions. JOHN also reminded us of the District Convention this Saturday at the Middleton Marriot. Starts about 8 AM, voting in the afternoon (see schedule). Hospitality rooms will be open Friday evening.
MELISSA NOVINSKI, co-chairperson of the Rose Day Committee, reminded us that forms are available (see links below), and sales should be turned in ASAP. Delivery day is April 19, prices are $24 for a dozen long-stemmed roses, $18 for a carnation bouquet and $4 for a vase. (Sentry has long-stemmed roses for $32/dozen, and you have to deliver your own). Our final order date is April 6, so crank up your sales and have your estimate ready. We want to sell as many as we can, but we don't want to sell excess on State St. again. REMEMBER ALL THE GOOD THINGS WE DO WITH THE MONEY!
Dr. TOM STEVENS introduced his UW colleague, Dr. David Gamm, who told us a lot about the work of pediatric ophthalmologists. It takes 8 years of school and residency to be one, and it is a very specialized field. Great progress is being made in detecting and treating eye problems in children, and it is crucial to detect them early, because many cause unnecessary blindness if not dealt with before age 8. Early screenings, like the ones JIM SCHUTZ's committee does, are immensely important, because it is worth looking at hundreds if you catch something that saves the sight of one. Talk to everyone you know that has small children - at the slightest sign of anything unusual, get the child to a doctor for a checkup. Great program - shows how much can be done with just a little more effort on Lions part.
We are an international organization. The Editor will wear a pin from a different area each week, and the TT may fine you if you don't know what area it is. There are about 190 of them.